15:35 Ascot

Friday 23 July 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0015:3516:1016:40

John Guest Racing Handicap

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 2m 31.65s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Pirate King⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 101| D

20/1

Useful handicapper who was better than ever when scoring at Lingfield in January, then seemed unsuited by the drop in trip when fourth at Doncaster 7 months later. Not discounted.

Form: 142-314

(4)

Midnights Legacy²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 100| D

10/1

Gained reward for his consistency when landing 1m4f handicap at Epsom in June but seemingly undone by a rise when only fourth at Haydock next time. Likely to prove vulnerable once more.

Form: 235214

(5)

Grand Bazaar⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 97| D

11/4

On the up in handicaps last year, winning 3 times, and returned with excellent third to Zabeel Champion at Newmarket (1m4f) in May. Needs considering off an unchanged mark.

Form: 12510-3

(7)

Soto Sizzler²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: D Menuisier| OR: 97| D

10/1

Useful handicapper whose form has been in and out this term, although he was better than the result when down the field at Haydock last time. Player if on a going day.

Form: 2/42728

(2)

Lost Eden⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Hannon| OR: 96

11/1

Highly progressive on AW (bolted up in novice at Lingfield in April) but found to have irregular heartbeat when tailed off in listed company over C&D 76 days ago. Remains with potential.

Form: 2-110

(9)

Valyrian Steel⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 95| D

9/2

Improving son of Frankel who made it 4 wins from only 6 starts when getting up late in 1m4f Kempton handicap last month. Strong traveller has more to offer, and he rates a big player.

Form: 114-511

(1)

Protected Guest²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 92| D

50/1

Temperamental sort whose run of good form came to an end when last at Windsor in June, not looking keen. Best opposed on the back of that.

Form: 313D40

(6)

Alfred Boucher²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: H Candy| OR: 88

11/2

Good second of 11 in handicap at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm, 5/1) 27 days ago. Holding form well this term without leaving a firm indication that he's ahead of his mark.

Form: 423-342

(8)

Labeebb^t⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 88| D

9/2

Useful sort who has been holding his form so far this term. Shaped as if stiffer test would suit over 11.8f at Haydock last time, so could do with a strong pace to be seen to best effect.

Form: 113-353

(10)

Koeman¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: M R Channon| OR: 86| CD

20/1

On a reasonable mark and took a step back in right direction when fifth at Newmarket 13 days ago. C&D winner in the past, so could take a hand if he breaks on terms.

Form: 440895

Forecasts

Grand Bazaar (11/4), Labeebb (9/2), Valyrian Steel (9/2), Alfred Boucher (11/2), Midnights Legacy (10/1), Soto Sizzler (10/1), Lost Eden (11/1), Pirate King (20/1), Koeman (20/1), Protected Guest (50/1)

VALYRIAN STEEL and Grand Bazaar both represent top yards and are still on the up, so they're worth taking against the field in an open-looking event. The first-named, who did well to get up late at Kempton last time, takes marginal preference, with Lost Eden the pick of the remainder.